Electrical terminals



April 22, 1969 D. J. SMITH ELECTRICAL TERMINALS Sheet Filed Sept.

F l G. I

INVENTOR. pflnfi/l j 57 7* Saresr April 22, 1969 D. J. SMITH 3,440,595

ELECTRI CAL TERMINALS Filed Sept. 5, 1965 Sheet 2 of 2 "Inwl IIII I HI ll-lll i INVENTOR. 42p /24- awe/1 J 9. 2:4

I l BY 74 5' est 72 7w :1

United States Patent U.S. Cl. 339-198 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Terminal blocks have sections mounted by posts in tandem or side-by-side, with lead wires imbedded in them and connected to connector posts. Humps are provided where the wires extend into the block sections to lessen the collection of moisture thereat.

This invention relates to electrical terminals and the mounting means for these terminals.

In the wiring for telephones there is used a terminal block. Prior to my invention this terminal block was normally constructed of an empty container. Then, there were positioned electrodes on both faces of the container, a total of twelve pairs of electrodes. Also, there were attached lead-in wires to these electrodes. Then the container was filled with the resin so as to have the electrodes mounted in a block. The resin upon curing would contract and leave a dish or recess in the upper edge where the lead-in wires connected with the terminal block. In use moisture would condense and flow into the recess. In time, especially in rainy weather, a leakage current would flow from one lead-in wire to another lead-in wire through the electrolytic path provided by the moisture. Also, a worker in using the terminal block would have to reach around so as to place wires on the electrodes on both sides of the terminal block. These terminal blocks are frequently mounted on telephone poles. The worker therefore would have to work on these terminal blocks many feet off of the ground. Because the electrodes are on both sides of the terminal block, the worker, in attaching wires to the electrodes has to lean in and around the wires close to the terminal block. Such movement back and forth around the wires on the telephone pole is time consuming and therefore requires a greater expenditure of money for working on such a terminal block. From having worked with these terminal blocks and being familiar with electrical wiring in telephone circuitry, I have devised a terminal block which has the electrodes on only one face. If the situation demands, two of these terminals blocks may be placed back to back so as to provide twelve pair of electrodes. Further, the normal mounting 'box for such terminal blocks has space for twenty-four pairs of electrodes. My terminal block is of such a size and configuration that it too can be used in the mounting block to provide twentyfour pairs of electrodes.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide electrical terminals and particularly a terminal block which is easier to work on as all lugs are on one side of the block; a terminal block which provides a longer electrical leakage path between the lead-in wires than prior terminal blocks; a terminal block which does not have a Well or a recess so that moisture may collect between the lead-in wires; a terminal block which makes it possible to have increased clearance above the bottom of ready access closure and thereby reducing the drop failure in the mounting box for the terminal block; a terminal block which may be readily divided into two three-pair blocks for use where a six-pair block is not required or where a twelve-pair block is not required; and, a termnial block which because of the saving of time of men working on the lead-in wires results in a saving of money; and, a terminal block which is inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of this invention is to provide a wire terminal for mounting on a pole and which wire terminal is of a one piece molded plastic and has a captive cover which cannot be lost; a wire terminal which has no auxiliary screws for positioning the cover on the cap; a wire terminal which is light in weight; a wire terminal which is low in production cost and also less expensive to install than prior wire terminals; and, a wire terminal which provides for drainage of moisture.

These and other important objects and advantages of the invention will be more particularly brought forth upon reference to the accompanying drawing, the detailed specifications of the invention and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a terminal block constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view looking down on the top edge of said terminal block;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view looking at the terminal block after it has been broken into two halves which may be positioned together in a back-toback relationship;

FIG. 4 is a plan view looking down on two terminal blocks in a back-to-back relationship;

FIG. 5 is a view looking at the top of a wire terminal with the cover in a closed position;

FIG. 6 is a view looking at the bottom of a wire terminal;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the wire terminal;

FIG. 8 is a view looking at the inside of the cover of the wire terminal and also at the inside of the cup of the wire terminal;

FIG. 9 taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8, on an enlarged scale is a cross-sectional view indicating the circular recess in the wall of the cup of the wire terminal; and,

FIG. 10, taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 5, is a crosssectional view illustrating the lip and cover construction of the wire terminal.

In FIGS. 1 through 4 there is illustrated a terminal block 20. As is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the length of the terminal block 20 is many times the thickness and the length is also much greater than the width of the terminal block 20. This terminal block comprises a base 22 in a front elevational view of a a generally rectangular configuration. The base 22 is of a dielectric material of which there may be many, such as hard rubber and plastic such "as a phenol-aldehyde plastic or urea-aldehyde plastic, to name a few. On the front face 24 there is a lateral groove 26 at substantially the middle of the base 22 and on the back face 28 there is a lateral groove 30. The purpose of the groove 30 is for ease of breaking the terminal block 20 into a first half 32 and a second half 34, see FIG. 3.

The upper side 36 of the terminal block 20 has a series of lateral rises or ridges 38 and recesses or valleys 40 between adjacent ridges.

On the lower edge 42 of the terminal block 20 there is a downwardly projecting bolt or lug 44 near the free edge of the terminal block and, this may be considered to be in the first half 32 of the terminal block 20. Also, on the lower edge of the terminal block 20 there is a downwardly projecting bolt or lug 46 near the lateral groove 26 or the lateral groove 28, this leg may be considered to be in the second half 34 of the terminal block 20.

On the front face 24 of the terminal block 20 are a number of electrodes or bolts 48. These electrodes 48 are embedded in the base 22. In FIG. 1 it is seen that there is an upper row of electrodes 48 and a lower row of electrodes 48 to make a total of six pair of electrodes or twelve electrodes in all. There are three pair of electrodes in the first half 32 and there are three pair of electrodes in the second half 34. As illustrated in FIG. 1 there is a nut 50 on the electrode.

On the back face 28 of the terminal block 20 there is a spur 52 near the lateral groove 30 in the second half 34 of the teminal block, and there is a spur 54 near the free edge of the first half 32 of the terminal block. Also, in the back face 28 of the terminal block 20 there is a recess 56 near the free edge of the second half 34 of the terminal block, and there is a recess 58 near the lateral edge 30 in the first half 32 of the terminal block. As is illustrated in FIG. 4 two terminal blocks 20 may be positioned in a back-to-back relationship with the spurs of one terminal block fitting with the recesses of the other terminal block so as to have twelve pair of electrodes in close proximity. Also, as is seen in FIG. 3, the terminal block 20 may be broken in two along the lateral grooves 26 and 30 and then the two halves 32 and 34 placed in a back-to-back relationship with the spur and recess of one half fitting with the recess and spur of the other half. In certain instances it may not be necessary to have twelve pair of electrodes in back-to-back relationship but six pair of electrodes in back-to-back relationship may be suflicient. In these instances it is desirable to break the terminal block into two halves 32 and 34 and mount the terminal block in the mounting box with the two halves in a backto-back relationship.

On the upper side 36 it is seen that there are numerous pairs of lead-in wires 60. These lead-in wires connect at the recesses in the base. Then, the lead-in wires also connect with the respective electrode 48 inside the base 22.

From the manner in which the terminal block 20 is made, it is seen that this is an integral terminal block and the base 22, the mounting posts 44 and 46, the electrode 48 and the lead-in wires 60. The mounting posts and the electrodes may be positioned in a mold. Of course, the lead-in wires are attached to a respective electrode. Then the plastic may be poured in the liquid state into the mold and allowed to cure. The result is the integral terminal block 20.

In prior terminal blocks there was prepared a container having a hollow central portion. There were electrodes projecting outwardly from each face of the container with lead-in wires connecting with the electrodes. Then, a resin was poured into the container and allowed to cure. The resin, upon curing, contracted so as to leave a dish or a hollow with respect to the upper portion where lead-in wires penetrated into the terminal block. In use some moisture would condense in this dish. With the breakdown of the insulation on the lead-in wires, there would be conduction between the lead-in wires through the aqueous solution on top of the terminal block. In FIGS. 1 and 3 it is seen that the leakage path between the lead-in wires in the recesses on the upper side of the terminal block becomes fairly long and therefore discourages leakage current between the lead-in wires in close recesses. Actually, the plastic on the upper side is substantially flat and does not provide a pocket or a well for moisture to collect and therefore the possibility of leakage current is substantially 0 or non-existent.

In the mounting box, with the box used to full utilization, there are normally twenty-four pair of electrodes. This means that there will be four terminal blocks 20 in back-to-back relationship.

In FIGS. 5 through 10 there is illustrated a wire terminal 70. This wire terminal 70 comprises a cup 72 and a cover 74. Actually, the cup 72 and the cover 74 are one integral unit as they are joined by a hinge 76.

The cup 72 is of a molded plastic, which is a dielectric the cup 72 and projecting inwardly from the base are material and the studs 82 and 88 are molded in place as electrode 84. A bus bar 86 joins the two electrodes 84. Further, in the cup 72 projecting inwardly from the base 80 are two spaced apart studs 88. In each of these studs 88 is an electrode 90. A bus bar 92 connects the two electrodes 90. In the wall 78 near the electrodes 82 and 88 there is a recess 94, one on each side of the Wall. This recess 94 may be considered to be a thin spot or area in the wall for ease of removal of the wall portion so that a lead-in wire or lead-in wires can be inserted through the wall portion for connection with the electrodes 84 and 90.

The cup 72 is of a molded plastic, which is dielectric material, and the studs 82 and 88 are molde din place as well as recess 96 near the hinge 76 and recess 98 away from the hinge 76. Also, near the center of the cup 72 are two spaced apart recesses 100.

On the bottom 102 of the cup 72 are a number of knobs. Near the hinge 76 is a knob 104 which is aligned with the recess 96. There is a rib 106 which is aligned with the recess 98. There are knobs 108. Also, there are knobs 110 which are aligned with the recesses 100. Further, there are two ribs 112, one connecting with the reinforcing knobs 110 near the knobs 108 and'one connecting with the rib 106.

Two bolts 114 may project through the recesses and the studs 110 and connect with a mounting plate 116. Nuts 1 18 may be in bolts 114 to firmly position the mounting plate. The wire terminal 70 is normally mounted on a telephone pole at a height of say eighteen to twenty feet. In the mounting of the wire terminal nails or screws may be passed through the recesses 96 and 98 to firmly attach the wire terminals to the pole.

The cover of 74 has a circumscribing flange 120. In FIGS. 8 and 10 it is seen that the circumscribing flange is recessed at 122. The cover is of a generally cylindrical configuration having a cylindrical wall 124 and a base 126. The recess 122 is between the overlying flange and the wall 124. This recess 122, see FIG. 8, is circular and fits with the upper part of the wall 78 of the cup 72. The cover 70 may be of a molded plastic.

The hinge 76 may be molded directly to the cover 74 and the cup 72. In the molding of the cup 72 and the cover 74 the die may be such as to mold the entire wire terminal 70 in one operation.

On the upper surface of the cover 74 there may be a circular disc for decorative effect and for the manufacturer to place his trademark, company name, and part number.

In actual usage the wire terminals may be attached in two ways. A wire terminal is attached so that the cover folds downwardly. More particularly, in the cylindrical wall 78 where there is the hinge member there is a slight opening 132, or a slight opening 132 may be made in the wall. The opening 132 is at the bottom of the cup 72 and if any moisture collects in the wire terminal 70 it will drain through the opening 132. In FIG. 6 it is seen that there is a mounting plate 116. A communication line may comprise a steel supporting wire and a communication wire. The communication wire may be cut in two and the steel supporting wire positioned between the mounting plate 116 and the back face of the base 80. In this manner the wire terminal 70 is positioned on the steel supporting wire. The communication wire is then inserted in the opening in the recess 94 in the cylindrical wall 78. The communication wire, of course, can be connected to the electrodes 84 or 90 or both, if there be two communication wires.

Another way of mounting the wire terminal 70 is to nail the wire terminnal to the utility pole. Nails may be driven through the recesses 96 and 98 in the base 80. The wire terminal 70 may be positioned at a height of 18 or 20 feet on the utility pole. In this manner there is not required the use of a steel supporting wire. The communication wire or communication wires may be attached to the electrodes 84 or 90 or both and pass through the cylindrical wall 78 at the recess 94.

It is seen that on the front face 124 of the terminal block 20 that there are four pair of studs, a long stud 134 and a short stud 136. There are two pair each of these studs on each half 32 and 34 of the terminal block. These studs are used for a lining connector plate. The studs may be considered to be alignment studs.

It is seen that this wire terminal is of such a construction that the user can attach the wire terminal to the telephone pole, break the circular wall 78 of the cup 94 so as to insert wires into the interior of the wire terminal 70. Then complete the wiring and fasten the cover 74 over the cup 72. The wire terminal 70 is essentially waterproof and can withstand exposure to rain, snow, and sunshine. By being substantially waterproof there is very little possibility of any sizable amount of moisture or water collecting in the interior of the wire terminal 70 so as to short out electrodes or bus bars.

What I claim is:

1. An electrical terminal, said terminal comprising:

(a) a dielectric base;

(b) electrodes on one face of the base;

(c) mounting posts integral with the base;

(d) lead-in wires connecting with the electrodes in the base;

(e) said lead-in wires being embedded in the base and extending from one edge thereof; and,

(f) humps on said edge between lead-in wires connecting with different electrodes, said humps serving to lengthen the surface distance between the lead-in wires and lessen the collection of moisture between the lead-in wires.

2. A terminal block, said terminal block comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) said base being of a dielectric material;

(c) a mounting post integral with the base and projecting out of the lower side;

(d) on the front face there being a plurality of outwardly directed electrodes;

(e) lead-in wires embedded in the base and extending from the upper part thereof;

(f) a lead-in wire connecting with a respective electrode inside said base; and

(g) humps on said upper part between lead-in wires connecting with different electrodes, said humps serving to lengthen the surface distance between the leadin wires and lessen the collection of moisure between the lead-in wires.

3. A terminal block, said terminal block comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) said base being of a dielectric material;

(c) said base having a length greater than the width;

(d) said base having a width many times greater than the thickness;

(e) a mounting post integral with the base and projecting out of the lower side;

(f) on the front face there being a plurality of outwardly directed electrodes;

(g) lead-in wires embedded in said base and extending from the upper edge thereof;

(h) a lead-in wire connecting with a respective electrode inside said base; and

(i) humps on said upper part between lead-in wires connecting with different electrodes, said humps serving to lengthen the surface distance between the leadin wires and lessen the collection of moisture between the lead-in wires.

4. A terminal block, said terminal block comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) said base being of a dielectric material;

(c) said base having a length greater than the width;

(d) said base having a width many times greater than the thickness;

(e) a mounting post integral with the base and projecting out of the lower side;

(f) on the back face of the base there being a spur;

(g) on the back face of the base there being a recess;

(h) said spur and said recess being so positioned that when two terminal blocks are in a back-to-back relationship the spurs and recesses are in a mating relationship;

(i) on the front face there being a plurality of outwardly directed electrodes;

(j) lead-in wires embedded in said base and extending from the upper edge thereof;

(k) a lead-in wire connecting with a respective electrode inside said base; and

(1) humps on said upper edge between lead-in wires connecting with different electrodes, said humps serving to lengthen the surface distance between the lead-in wires and lessen the collection of moisture between the lead-in wires.

5. A terminal block, said terminal block comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) said base being of a dielectric material;

(0) said base having a length greater than the width;

(d) said base having a width many times greater than the thickness;

(e) said base having a lateral groove on both the front face and the back face, defining a first half and a second half, for ease of breaking the terminal block into two smaller terminal blocks;

(f) a first mounting post integral with the first half of the base and projecting out of the lower side near a free edge;

(g) a second mounting post integral with the second half of the base and projecting out of the lower side near the lateral groove;

(h) the distance the first mounting post is from the free edge of said first half being substantially equal to the distance the second mounting post is from the lateral groove;

(i) on the back face of the base and substantially aligned with a respective mounting post there being a spur;

(j) on the back face and in the first half there being a first recess near the lateral groove;

(k) on the back face and in the second half there being a second recess near the free edge of said second half;

(1) the distance the first recess is from the lateral groove being substantially equal to the distance the second recess is from the free edge of the second half;

(m) on the front face there being a plurality of outwardly directed electrodes;

(11) a plurality of humps formed on the upper edge of said base with a recess between adjacent humps; and

(o) lead-in wires embedded in said base and extending therefrom at certain recesses;

(p) said lead-in wires connecting with respective electrodes inside said base;

(q) said humps serving to lengthen the surface distance between the lead-in wires and lessen the collection of moisture between the lead-in wires.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1964 Urban 339198 1/1938 McCormick et a1. 339-198 2/1959 Couse 339-198.41

10 RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner. 

